TheArchive: Reviewing the Rare, Retro, and Restored

TheArchive pays tribute to the generations of Hispanic filmmakers who have positively enriched our culture. Here's some of our film classics from the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema and the filmmakers who no doubt influenced their American filmmaker successors. From famed director and “father of cinematic surrealism” Luis Buñuel , Una Mujer Sin Amor , tells the story of a woman who sacrifices her own happiness for her family, but in doing so creates a rift that will take a lifetime to mend.  Romantic drama La Duda , was directed by Alejandro Galindo, one of the most prolific and lauded directors of the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema. Directed in 1962 by Miguel Delgado, renowned Mexican director of over 140 films, Estoy Casado, Ja Ja is a romantic comedy adventure featuring the story of Ana Maria and Marcelo who meet on a cruise ship and plan to get married on the spot. However, the wedding is postponed under the contingency that the two should get to know more about one another first

Ed Asner was and will always be one of the greats. To be in his orbit was to know “shit's gonna get done.” This was a stalwart of a man, dare we say a bullhorn for speaking his mind and defending the rights of others. Today TheArchive commemorates a long, well lived life. Despite 91 years, it always felt like he was just getting started. Beyond the seven-time Emmy-winning actor from Mary Tyler Moore to Roots, and even as an octogenarian who never slowed appearing most recently in Cobra Kai, Asner also was revered for the kind of activism that served so many. Criticizing the entertainment business’ labor standards and a long time advocate for unionism, then rising to President of SAG, Asner galvanized his position and impact by walking the talk. TheArchive is proud to have some excellent content starring Asner including The Trials of Rosie O’Neill , for which he garnered a supporting actor Emmy nomination. We also have some of his earliest work in Decoy , a 1950’s noir series star

One of the great drummers of any generation has passed. Watts leaves behind Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood after more than 50 years behind his kit. Growing up the son of a truck driver in Wembley with a penchant for jazz and a gift for design, little did he know that the children's book about Charlie Parker he published at such a young age would so beautifully foretell his own greatness despite the humble ode he inscribed in the preface: "This story was compiled by one Charlie to a late and great Charlie." Through the decades his greatness ramped up like his many unmistakable rhythms, always playing to a slightly different beat as early as the beginning of the 1960s when he turned down the Stones' first invitations to join them. But despite those first tones of rejection, Jagger persisted and Watts joined the band that took off like a rocket and never cooled down. Into the 1980s with the Charlie Watts Orchestra, Watts finally reached his penultimate ambit

It is only fitting to celebrate our independence by going BEYOND THE MASK! With people out and about and ready to gather, July 4th may be the biggest spectacle we've seen in years. But we recommend you also celebrate our nation's independence and take a break from the heat and crowds by watching  TheArchive 's, BEYOND THE MASK . Beyond the Mask , in beautiful 4K, is an action-packed adventure set in 1776 during the turmoil of the Revolutionary war, bringing history to life in a story filled with liberty, freedom, and faith. Based on true events, the film features action, battles, and suspense, leading up to the historic signing of the Declaration of Independence. Andrew Cheney stars as William Reynolds, Kara Kilmer as Charlotte Holloway, Alan Madlane as Benjamin Franklin, and John Rhys-Davies as the corrupt Charles Kemp in a performance Variety praised as, "bellicose, two dimensional villainy that makes for undeniably enjoyable viewing." Yes, he's indeed enj

During #PrideMonth, we thought it only fitting to celebrate some of our very best content spotlighting the LGBTQ+ experience. RuPaul is widely regarded globally as a bold voice of change and authenticity, and we are sharing a bit more on his film from the 90's Red Ribbon Blues . If you are hoping for a full drag, over the top dance sequence starring RuPaul in all his fabulousness, please watch his eight time Emmy winning Rupaul's Drag Race or To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, which incidentally came out the same year. No pun. Red Ribbon Blues is an action dramedy about four friends who take to ripping off pharmacies so they can procure impossibly expensive HIV medication in an attempt to distribute it to those who can't afford it. Like most people! RuPaul is Duke, an L.A. art gallery owner whose partner is starting to slip in to dementia due to complications around HIV. They start contemplating all kinds of illegal activity in order to get the drugs they ne

We recently visited with Harry Eskin, one of our 4K restoration team members, to find out what it takes to restore a film to 4K. Harry is a member of a four-person restoration team headed by Sarah Smith, our Media Archive Manager, and supported by assistant Nicole Bajorek, and 4K film editor Meni Phillip. With over 100 hours and counting, and available to be streamed in 4K anytime, anywhere, on any device, TheArchive offers the most extensive independent library of rare films that have been restored to their original magnificence. Q: Thank you for taking some time to speak with us today about restoring films in 4K. I will jump right in. How did you get started on a career as a film archivist and restorationist?  Harry: I have always been a film buff with a particular interest in rare films; the rarer the film, the better. I was introduced to film archiving in college and decided it was something I wanted to pursue. After receiving a Master's Degre

The Whole Wide World is a true story of Novalyne Price Ellis (Renée Zellweger) one of the greatest pulp fiction writers of all time.  Based on her acclaimed autobiography, Ellis is a feisty West Texas schoolteacher who has a torrid and turbulent affair with Robert. E. Howard (Vincent D'Onofrio), the great pulp writer of the 1930s.  However, their conflicting personalities along with Howard’s emotional baggage,  including his sickly mother and absent father, puts a strain on their relationship.  The two struggle to carry on the romance  but it devolves to tumult, resulting in an unrequited love story. Howard becomes more immersed in his own struggles and deeply dis connected from the real world pushing his love further and further away.    No one said love is easy, but at least you can suffer through it in beautiful, free, 4K. You can stream it free on Roku now. Love hurts here at TheArchive .  TheArchive  channel is dedicated to